Isomatic UK Weblog

This evening we went to the St Leonards Hotel, Dorset, to see John Maddocks Jazzmen for only the second time. This traditional jazz band comprises John Maddocks (clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, vocals), Peter Wilkinson (trumpet, vocals), Tony Farr (trombone), Chris Satterley (keyboard, vocals, pictured), Peter McCurry (string bass, tuba), Dave Broomfield, (banjo, guitar) and Brian Barker (drums). Our favourite numbers were:
1) The Blue Blood Blues, written by Jelly Roll Morton as featured on this link.
2) John's first feature Indian Summer, composed by Victor Herbert in 1919 and played on this link by Sidney Bechet; a jazz classic.
3) John's second feature C Jam Blues, composed in 1942 by Duke Ellington and played here by Johnny Hodges.
4) The Turn of the Tuxedos, about which we know nothing and can find no links.
This was our first visit to the St Leonards Hotel and we were quite impressed. We have booked for the next John Maddocks gig.

Labels: Jazz

We visited our local Dorset pub twice today, first to devour steak pie, now home-made, and later to see the group Wayward. It comprises amplified acoustic guitar, electric bass guitar and electric drum kit, with the drummer providing the vocals. At first they attracted no applause due to numbers fading out rather than ending. Once we understood this we led the applause and others followed. Our favourite numbers were:
1) Sunny Afternoon written by The Kinks' chief songwriter Ray Davies. They released it as a single on 3 June 1966 and it went to number 1 on the UK charts on 7 July 1966, remaining there for two weeks. The link is to that version.
2) Angie written primarily by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and recorded in November and December 1972. The link is to that version.

We danced to three numbers, Selina wearing her little black dress and new black tights, showing off her fabulous legs, easily equal to those of the many mini-skirted young women present. A Canadian guy put his arms around us, saying how great we are.
He wished he had a girlfriend with whom he could dance. I said he should find one. Thinking about it since, there must be thousands of lonely women and an equal number of men moaning about not having one. I say to you all "Log on to the internet dating sites, now !"

Labels: Pop Music

Yesterday evening we decided the stock market position was such that we would sell enough investments to pay off our bridging loan, thus allowing us to sell our Guildford house at a more leisurely pace. Of all the financial institutions in which we have invested, Fidelity was the best for good gains over the years and ease of out-of-hours dealing. We sold many, but not all, of our holdings by just selecting them on our personal web pages, clicking SELL and printing pages for faxed signatures. We had completed the deals within an hour. That is what we call service. We have no connection with Fidelity other than as satisfied investors.
We can now continue to have two homes for as long as we like, selling at a good time financially.

Labels: Money

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, tenor sax, clarinet), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durell (bass guitar) and Don Cook (drums). Guests were Kim Martine (pictured with John Barnes) and John Lang (trombone). Our favourite numbers were:
1) Too Close For Comfort, written by Jerry Bock, George David Weiss, and Larry Holofcener in 1956 as part of the score for the Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful starring Sammy Davis, Jr. The link is to a vocal by Peggy Lee.
2) Kim's vocal, at my request, the beautiful Close Your Eyes, composed by Bernice Petkere. The link is to a version by the Los Angeles Jazz Quartet.
3) Alan Dandy's feature with Mick, Misty composed by Errol Garner as heard on this link.
4) Alan Dandy's solo feature Snowy Morning Blues composed by James P Johnson. The link is to the Dutch Swing College, a favourite band of our youth.

For the second week in succession John Barnes tried to play the clarinet part of Jelly Roll Morton's Shreveport Stomp in a duet with Alan Dandy, who had no trouble with it. John's struggle was defined by his comment "I would rather have a colostomy". I wonder if he meant coloscopy ?

Labels: Jazz

Today we took a nostalgic trip from our Bungalow in Dorset to Porlock Weir in Somerset. We visited many times with a son of 5-10 years but the last time was 30 years ago. It has not changed but we have. The bar where we ate in the past was not good enough for the older fussier Burtons so after a quick browse of its menu we moved to Andrews On The Weir, first picture, a much more up-market eaterie. We had the roast beef with yorkshire puddings (2 each) and a good selection of vegetables. Both red and white wines by the glass were excellent.
We left by ascending Porlock Hill, which now seems very easy in our Suzuki Ignis Sport. In 1967 we tried it in a 1953 Ford Zephyr and broke a leaf in one of the rear springs as we rounded the tightest hairpin. After the hill, we crossed Exmoor via Exford (instantly recognisable) and Dulverton (very different from our memories).
On the way back we passed through Wivelicombe, where I had a few business meetings. I did not recognise this place either. It would be sad if they are all unchanged but we imagine them rose-tinted !

Labels: Travel

This evening we returned to Brian White's Magna jazz band's new venue, The Manor in Old Malden. We started with a large meal of cod, peas and chips, washed down with a bottle of Californian White Wine.
The new band member is Ken Reece, a regular with Max Collie's Rhythm Aces, on cornet (pictured).
Our favourite numbers were as follows:
1. It's a Sin To Tell a Lie, a 1936 composition by Billy Mayhew, originally introduced by Fats Waller. The link is to the Ink Spots.
2. I Want a Little Girl, written by Murray Mencher and Billy Moll. This link is to the Louis Armstrong version.
3. Alan Dandy's fine solo feature Ethiopia Rag, composed by the Joseph Lamb, the link being to the only version we can find, by Jazzou Jones.

Somebody said "I won't ask you to compare Ken Reece with Chez Chesterman". I replied that it was like comparing chalk with cheese.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, tenor sax, clarinet), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durell (bass guitar) and Don Cook (drums). Guests were Geoff Cole and John Lang (trombones, pictured). Our favourite numbers were:
1) The Way You Look Tonight, from the 1936 Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers musical film 'Swing Time', composed by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The link is to a vocal by Margaret Whiting.
2) Sentimental Journey, composed in 1944 by Les Brown and Ben Homer with lyrics by Bud Green. The link is to a version by Julie London.
3) Alan Dandy's solo, Ethiopia Rag composed by Joseph Lamb. The link is to pianist Jazzou Jones.

I rashly told John Barnes that I only recently discovered that 'I Cover The Waterfront' referred to a reporter, whereas I had assumed it was a prostitute. He immediately went to the microphone and blabbed to the audience, much to Don Cook's amusement. I had my revenge by loudly correcting John when he told the audience that 'The Way You Look Tonight' came from 'Showboat.

Labels: Jazz

As it was a sunny and relatively warm day (at last) we drove to Swanage via the Sandbanks chain ferry. Previous visits to the town centre have been disappointing, expensive car parks and poor cafes. Therefore we stopped at the other end of the sea front this time; much better. We parked in the road for free and had hot chocolate on the promenade, very close to the waves. The view can be seen in the picture.
It is great to have a lovely home so close to so many seaside spots.

Labels: Travel

The picture shows the snow at Park Farm, where Ampair / Boost Energy is still located for the moment. Today was the last day of snow, the journey from Guildford taking 2 hours. The most difficult part was up the hill called Silwood Road out of Sunningdale. The rear-drive Mercs and BMWs stood no chance and all turned back after minimal attempts. Even two VW Golfs failed after trying very hard. Of the many cars in our group only our Suzuki Ignis Sport made it to the top. Front-drive is a huge advantage, allowing the driver to try various angles of attack. I suspect that the short wheelbase is also useful in these circumstances. Conversely we had the handicap of wide, low-profile tyres.

Labels: Travel

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet), Alan Dandy (keyboard, pictured), Mick Durell (bass guitar) and Trevor Tomkins (drums). The one guest was John Lang (trombone). Our favourite numbers were:
1) Indian Summer, originally written as a piano piece by the prolific composer Victor Herbert. Al Dubin later wrote lyrics. The link is to the famous rendering by Sidney Bechet.
2) Alan Dandy's first feature, with Mick, Whisper Not, written by Benny Golson. The link is to a vocal by Anita O'Day with a fine piano backing.
3) Alan's second feature, this time with Mick and Trevor, Bad Penny Blues written by Humphrey Lyttelton and recorded with his band in London on April 20, 1956. The link is to that recording; excellent piano by Johnny Parker.
4) Alan's final solo feature, Emily. The link is to a recording by the Bill Evans Trio.

Labels: Jazz

This evening we returned to Brian White's Magna jazz band's new venue, The Manor in Old Malden. We started with a good meal of sausage, egg, beans and chips, washed down with a nice bottle of Chilean Merlot.
Due to bad weather we had a small audience, no Cornet and no drums. Instead we had Gentleman Jim McIntosh, a regular with Max Collie's Rhythm Aces, on banjo (pictured).
Our favourite numbers were as follows:
1. I Can't Give You Anything But Love, generally considered to have been composed by Jimmy McHugh with lyrics by Dorothy Fields, although some claims have been made that the music was by Fats Waller and the lyrics by Andy Razaf. The link is to a recent version by Diana Krall, showing that there is at least one current singer worthy of the name.
2. When You and I Were Young Maggie, composed by James Butterfield using a poem by George Washington Johnson (Maggie's husband) for the lyrics. The link is to a 1950s recording by Monty Sunshine with Chris Barber on Bass plus Banjo and drums. Brian White stated that it was originally a waltz, to which I responded "Getaway". Although I can imagine it being played in 3/4 time, Digital Tradition Mirror shows the original music in 4/4.
3. Alan Dandy's fine medley of Ellingtonia, particularly Prelude To A Kiss, composed by the Duke, the link being to an Ella Fitzgerald rendering.
4. The incredible ukelele and miniature harmonica feature by Jim McIntosh, comprising:
Jambalaya
Lili Marlene
Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs Of Dover
Oh Suzanna
12th Street Rag.
One woman asked if he ever swallowed it, leading to dirty laughs from some of the other women. I am sure she meant the harmonica !

Labels: Jazz

Having just browsed Fathers for Justice, I suspect they are being very cautious with the wording to avoid legal action against them. Let's bring the nasty stuff out into the open.
An ex-wife who denies a father access to his child, threatening to accuse him of paedophilia or "unspeakable sex acts" if he tries to make contact, is evil, loathsome, scum. I don't suppose there is a God but, if there is, I appeal to him/her to let her burn in hell for eternity.
I extend my deepest sympathy to those women who left abusive men. Because of the lying scum that I describe above, they face a strong possibility of disbelief.

Labels: Grumpy

This evening we went to the George & Dragon in Thames Ditton to see the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, alto sax, clarinet, vocal), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mick Durell (bass guitar) and Trevor Tomkins (drums, pictured). Guests were Mike Bennett (bass guitar, pictured) and John Lang (trombone). Our favourite numbers were:
1) Alan Dandy's first solo feature; The Man I Love, music by George Gershwin and lyrics by his brother Ira. It was originally part of the 1927 score for the Gershwin antiwar musical satire Strike Up the Band. The link is to a wonderful rendering by Billie Holiday.
2) A Bossa Nova version of When You Wish Upon A Star, written by Ned Washington and Leigh Harline and introduced in the 1940 Walt Disney movie Pinocchio, where it is sung by Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike) in the character of Jiminy Cricket. The link is to Louis Armstrong singing over a Pinocchio scene.
3) John Barnes singing, first as himself, then in Al Jolson style, California, Here I Come written by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Meyer, with Jolson often listed as a co-author. The link is to a Jolson performance.
4) Alan's second solo feature, the beautiful Skylark, composed by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The link is to a favourite version of ours by John Williams that we have on a SKY recording.

Most of the regulars were missing, presumably due to the weather, but there were many new faces.

Labels: Jazz

Looking back on 2009; what do I remember best ?
We progressed the Ampair 6kW wind turbine from blade design through to six installations in just twelve months.
Selina and I bought a bungalow in Dorset, from where I am typing this post.
We cut our jazz nights to just two per week; Magna Jazz Band and the John Barnes Quartet.
The recession caused misery for many but the greedy bankers continue to milk the system for all they can get, returning to obscene bonuses and showing no shame.
Members of Parliament were called to account for their expense claims, trivial compared with bankers' bonuses.
None of the political parties emerged from 2009 with much to their credit.
Small businesses continued to suffer at the hands of both government (anti-business legislation) and banks (tight credit).
Pubs closed at an alarming rate as high alcohol taxes and reduced customer spending power took their toll.
Primitive tribal savages in Iraq and Afghanistan continued to cause misery for their own people as well as for our forces.

Wishing all our readers a Happy New Year.

Labels: Dorset, Grumpy, Jazz, Wind power